Improper Fractions and Mixed Numbers Proper fractions are always less than one. A fraction with a numerator greater than or equal to its denominator is an improper fraction. Improper fractions can be converted to mixed numbers or whole numbers. If the numerator is a multiple of the denominator, the improper fraction will be converted to a whole number. If the numerator is not a multiple of the denominator, the improper fraction will be converted to a mixed number. A mixed number is a whole number and a fraction. To convert an improper fraction to a whole or mixed number, divide the numerator by the denominator (denominator = divisor). Any remainder will be a fraction with the same denominator as the improper fraction (divisor = denominator). Sometimes you need an improper fraction (example: when multiplying or dividing). To convert a mixed number to an improper fraction, multiply the whole number by the denominator and add back the numerator. The denominator of the resulting improper fraction is the same as the denominator of the original fraction in the mixed number. REMEMBER: Fractions are division and every remainder is a fraction (or a decimal)!